Ep 341 – 1 Peter 1:17-21

In today's episode, based on 1 Peter 1:17-21, Peter begins to call his readers to a radically new lifestyle that measures up to their newfound status as God's chosen ones. God had set them apart and called them to a life of holiness. This was not just some verbal designation, but was to be an everyday reality of their new life in Christ. They were now sons and daughters of Christ and they were expected to live like it. Gone were the old days of slavery to sin and lives marked by an inability to live righteous and upright lives. The life of holiness was not an option, but an expectation for any and all believers. Jesus died so that we might live. But He didn't provide us with life so that we could do what we want to do or behave in whatever manner we like. Christ died so that we might see our old way of life put to death. It's hold on us was broken by His sacrificial death on the cross. He atoned for our transgressions. He paid our debt. He settled our spiritual deficit and credited His righteousness to our account. As a result, we are to live differently. Our old way of life was crucified with Him on the cross. It no longer controls us. Our sin nature, while not completely dead, is no longer our master. Which is why Peter drives home the idea that our behavior should complement our belief. Our status as God's children should be visible and readily believable, by the way we conduct ourselves in this life.